Panama officials never received report warning of helicopter malfunctions

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PANAMA.- New information has surfaced concerning a report that was issued by the Panamanian presidential pilot, Alexis Camarena, in 2007 indicating malfunctions that had been observed in the helicopter that later crashed, killing National Police Chief Alejandro Bernales, his wife and his official entourage.

According to the Panamanian newspaper "La Prensa", it has now been revealed that charges are being filed due to the fact that the National Panamanian Air Service (SAN) did not supply the Third Superior Court with the official report that Camarena elaborated warning of the risks involved in flying the aircraft. The same document also indicated that the helicopter should not be used to transport important people.

The pilot had written the report after an experiencing an emergency situation in the helicopter during 2007, when a piece of the hydraulics system malfunctioned in mid-flight, prompting Camarena and the co-pilot to take special measures to effect an emergency landing.